Why did The Globe and Mail fire Rick Salutin? Without a better answer from the newspaper’s brass, we’re left to read Salutin’s last two columns and ponder how power behaves when the politics of fear, and those who wield them deftly, are ascendant.

Oh brother. I’d like to see a bit more evidence of the cravenness by the Globe and Mail’s leadership in the face of the politics of fear before I buy into that statement.

Is it really a tragedy that after 20 years, Rick Salutin will no longer be writing for the Globe and Mail? After all, I’m sure you’ll be able to find his musings at Rabble.ca.

I think the bigger issue is they are replacing him with Irshad Manji, who I don’t find that impressive.

It’s unfortunate that Salutin’s regular gig will come to an end, but editors have to periodically examine their offerings.

That being said, I think it would be unfortunate on many levels if the Globe doesn’t continue to regularly offer views from the Canadian left on its commentary pages. I subscribe to the paper. If I saw it becoming more of a National Post-type of newspaper, I might not.

Can’t say that the offering of Manji will make me pick up the Friday version with greater eagerness than having Salutin on the op-ed page.